- Diman Regional Voc-Tech
- Report - Spring 2020
Spring General Advisory - 2020
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General Update
1. Campus Redesign
Starting in December 2020, Diman Regional students and instructors began updating and redesigning the first floor office areas. The theory behind this project was to move the school administration closer to the main entrance of the school and to expand classroom space. By moving the administration office, outside guests will be signed in and visible to administrators immediately. Outside guests will no longer be permitted to walk through the halls of the school in order to reach the administration offices. Additionally, these changes allow the offices of Special Education and Guidance to be merged into a Pupil Personnel Service suite. This gives administrators, clerical staff, and counselors a dedicated mutual area to meet with parents and students.
Furthermore, by moving the administration offices, we have added space to become much needed teaching areas. By making all these changes, three new classrooms will be created to allow expansion of programs and better schedule management for students and staff. The district offices have been moved to a satellite campus located on Davol Street in Fall River to make room for this redesign.
2. Program Expansion
The Medical Assisting and Programming and Web CTE concentrations have expanded again this year. The plan for SY 2021 will be to have four grade levels in Programming and Web with three instructors. Also, the plan for SY 2021 will be to have three grade levels in Medical Assisting with three instructors.
3. Remote Learning Updates
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, Diman Regional has developed a Social Distancing and Remote Learning Plan as prescribed by the state agencies. Our plan is thorough and was developed in conjunction with all school and district stakeholders. Copies are available online through the School Committee page.
4. MSBA
Currently, the Greater Fall River Vocational School District is in Module 3 of the MSBA process. We have contracted a Project Manager (Colliers International) and a Designer (Kaestle Boos). We are moving into the schematic design stage of the process which consists of Educational Visioning, Initial Space Summary, Existing Conditions Investigation, and Site Development Requirements. This phase is scheduled to continue through calendar 2020 and into the spring of 2021.
5. Mentoring
The Greater Fall River Vocational School District has continued its practice of mentoring new staff members. The district hired co-coordinators for the 2020 school year and expanded its program to include virtual learning through Google Classroom. Administrators met regularly with coordinators, mentors, and protégés in an effort crystalize the program and provide added structure to this state required program. Additionally, Diman Regional began a new, first of its kind, program regarding Department Head Mentoring. This program allows for a thorough training for individuals who are promoted into leadership positions. There was planning to have Diman’s program featured at several state and regional conferences for the spring and summer of 2020. Due to the current pandemic, those conferences are being rescheduled.
Budget Update
1. FY 2020
The current 2020 budget is in good standing due to several saving opportunities allowed by the pandemic. Analysis of current funding is taking place with the understanding of state guidelines regarding net school spending allowances. By June 2020, district administration will have recommendations to the School Committee for allocations and encumbrances moving forward.
2. FY 2021
District administration is working closely with stakeholders and the state Executive Office to develop a fiscally responsible budget for 2021. To date, no concrete numbers have been presented to the district for FY 2021. Original numbers presented in January by the Governor are no longer appropriate due to the pandemic. District administration continues to work with DESE and state officials to develop appropriate scenarios to
best educate students in the upcoming year. As the state sets its fiscal budget, the Greater Fall River Vocational School District will develop proper funding situations. Updates are expected in July with information going to sending communities at that time.
CTE Update
1. Staffing
We were able to keep all CTE instructors for SY 2021. In fact, our budgeting scenarios allowed for a growth of two CTE positions (one Medical Assisting and one Programming and Web Development).
2. Updates to Rooms
Room B115 will undergo construction this summer in order to make space for the junior level Medical Assisting Program. Additionally, Career Readiness will be expanding into the junior year for students in academics. This program will occur in one of the new classrooms created with the campus redesign project.
3. Cooperative Education
Prior to the pandemic situation, Diman Regional had over 250 students on Cooperative Education. Projections had well over 300 students moving into the program under normal circumstances. We will attempt to get back to normal practices as the pandemic situation allows.
4. Professional Development
The District was able to fund numerous on campus and off campus opportunities for CTE instructors this year. Numerous teachers continued their Occupational Education coursework. Additionally, several teachers continued their education with master level college courses. We continue to promote professional development regarding social emotional learning for students but also for wellness of staff. A thorough Professional Development Plan is being developed for the 2021 school year.
Academic Update
1. Staffing
Through attrition, the District was able to expand academic offerings for the 2021 school year. We have expanded the Humanities by offering an Art course for students in the junior year. We have also expanded the History department by hiring an additional staff member. This will allow for greater flexibility in the master schedule.
2. Updates to Rooms
Academic classrooms continue to be remodeled by technical students and instructors. This project is expected to continue through the summer and fall of 2020.
3. Professional Development
As was the case for the CTE instructors, many academic teachers continued their studies with coursework during the 2020 school year. We continue to promote training through Google Schools, allowing for remote learning to be extensive and seamless.
4. Dual Enrollment/CAP
Students at Diman Regional continue to explore scenarios beyond the traditional high school experience. Our guidance and academic departments promote and enroll numerous students into Dual Enrollment courses with Bristol Community College. Additionally, several Diman students experienced the college life as seniors in high school through our CAP partnership with Bristol Community College and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Students studied full time at Bristol Community College during the 2020 school year, concentrating in the Engineering Pathways established by the three institutions.
Practical Nursing Update
The programs looks to complete the 2020 year with 32 graduates from the full-time program. It additionally looks to continue the part-time program into the 2021 school year. Currently, the program is offering seamless remote learning and labs for its students due to the COVID 19 situation. Plans are in place for TEAS tests and we are currently accepting applications for the 2021 full-time program. During the 2021 school year, the program will be conducting an accreditation with the Board of Registered Nurses. Three staff members traveled to Washington DC this winter for professional development and training on upcoming requirements for the program.